Search - Reversal on DVD

Not Quite Vision Quest

Samuel L. Smith II | Evansville, IN United States | 08/02/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a former high school wrestler who loved my sport. I'm only aware of three movies made in the last 20-30 years about wrestling-Take Down with Lorenzo Lamos, Vision Quest, and now Reversal.

I was very excited when I found out that there was another movie made about wrestling. However, I would caution someone to rent Reversal before buying it.

A blurb from Olympian Carl Lewis says this is a "family film." It's not. I'm glad I didn't watch it with my children. It shows teens smoking marijuana and underage drinking, conversations between boys about sex, a teen buying condoms while hitting on an older lady, and some mild profanity. The movie is fine to watch if teens are older, but it's not for children.

In my opinion, Reversal is more about a "coming of age" movie where the protagonist happens to be a wrestler than a movie about wrestling.

This is an independent film so, the screen play, soundtrack, and acting were a little less than professional. However, the extra features are really good. For example, the producer/writer and the main actor meet with a fitness trainer and nutritionist that puts them on a six day workout for wrestlers and an eating plan to keep one's weight in check and energy level up. This is worth buying the movie and keeping it. In fact, I intend to watch this section a second time and take notes."

Wonderful Father Son Love Story With Wrestling As A Backdrop

Michael A. Furches | Wichita, KS | 11/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To be honest, when I first saw this movie I wasn't expecting much and the truth is that I was blown away. This is certainly the best Independent film I have seen and would highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who have a desire to live their dreams through their children. The cinematography is tremendous, acting first class, and story exceptional. I reviewed the movie for a couple of web sites around a year ago, ...and loved it. The DVD is also an exceptional value with all of the extra features that have gone into it. I give the movie 5 deserving stars, it not only entertains, it provides value regards the development of parental relationships. Beware that not everyone in the movie is perfect, this is not a Disney family, it is a real family with real struggles and real problems. That is one of the beautiful things about the movie though. Most every parent will appreciate this movie. Whether they know the sport of wrestling or not can relate to the characters. In the tradition of Searching for Bobby Fisher and every bit as good, this movie will cause parents to ponder the relationship they have with their children. It goes a step further however in that it also provides insights for the children as to why their parents often drive them to the extent they do. This movie made it to my top 100 list of all time and will rank on my top 10 list for this last year. Enjoy it and learn from it..."

College Wrestler on Reversal

Michael A. Furches | 04/09/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I liked this movie. The problem lies in the way it looks at the sport of wrestling. The movie was endorsed by many great wrestlers and so I assumed it would provide a brilliant look at the determination and effort it takes to excel at the sport, while also showing the hardships that most wrestlers face but overcome. Instead, I felt like I was watching a two-hour bashing of my favorite sport.
Wrestling is a hard sport, everybody knows that. In this movie, however, we get the story of a kid who hates what he is doing so much that his only way to move on is to quit or maybe even die. I don't want this message sent about the sport of wrestling. I was a college wrestler myself, and though I hated cutting weight and constantly practicing, I love the sport and can never repay it for the person that it has made me.
For these reasons, I feel like the people who watch this movie will have a jaded view of what the sport is all about. I prefer Vision Quest as a movie that makes you feel good and proud to see a winner. Though Vision Quest is a little corny, at least Louden Swayne has the convictions to know what he wanted, even when everyone told him it couldn't be done. Now that is the story of a hero."

Reversal is a great movie!

Michael A. Furches | 11/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have watched Reversal twice. I have a grandson in wrestling and love to watch him compete. The movie made me realize that wrestling is a great sport to build character and the movie told a great story of the love and conflict between the father and the son. I recomend Reversal to anyone who has children who participate in sports. It's well worth the time.Gloria Greenberg"